Asian Master to rule at Cheltenham

Asian Master wasn't beaten that far in last years grade 1 supreme novices hurdle and travelled pretty strongly through the race only to fade late on. He looks like a horse that would improve plenty for going over fences as he came from a point-to-point background. His 2 runs over fences this season have resulted in two 3rds albeit up against top opposition. However he now gets to tackle the extra distance of 2m4f and could well be a horse that has been hiding his light under a bushel so far this season. It would be no surprise were connections to have primed for today and Asian Tiger could well be a long way ahead of his current mark. Asian Tiger rates a 5 star each way Pick.

Win Some Lose Some has only had the 9 career starts to that but looks to be a horse improving at the rate of knots. He stormed to the front to go clear and then hold off a late challenge and win trying this sort of distance for the first time last time out at Leopardstown. Win Some Lose Some travelled really well that day, suggesting he could be a horse that will improve further (grand dam the wonderful race mare Like-A-Butterfly stayed 3m) and his mark of 138 might still be on the lenient side. The hustle and bustle of today's type of race should hold no fears, nor should the better racing ground for Win Some Lose Some. Win Some Lose Some rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Zain Nights was a useful sort on the flat and has done really well for his current connections over hurdles. He has won 4 from 11 starts over timber including a win over this very track and distance last April where he beat 13 other rivals and then backed that up with another good win at Haydock last May. He has not shown that level of form so far this season but it could well be that now back on better spring racing ground he could come alive. Zain Nights prominent racing style and ability to quicken off the front end could be a useful asset in this type of race and could be a hard horse to peg back. Zain Nights rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Midnight Our Fred hadn't shown much form in the early part of his career but has certainly turned the corner in recent times and comes into today's race in the form of his life. He won a handicap at Gowran Park by 14 lengths back in October last year and then followed that up with an excellent 2nd of 27 at Leopardstown in December. It looks like connection have saved him after that run for an outing at this meeting and he could well improve past his current rating of 132. The hustle and bustle of a big field handicap will suit Midnight Our Fred down to the ground and he should go close. Midnight Our Fred rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Sa Majeste is very lightly raced for a 7-year old having had only 10 start under rules and only 4 over fences so far. However he has won 2 of those 4 starts and looks a horse that might have a touch of class in the context of this race. He was well supported in the Coral Cup hurdle handicap here last season but failed to fire and perhaps that race was a bit too much for him so early in his career. He has improved over fences and looks a horse that needs today's kind of distance. Sa Majeste rates a 4 star each way Pick.